Onboard Cruise Kitchen Lead Sous Chef

American Cruise Lines; Alpena (MI); On-site; USD 46,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) with match

Travel covered

Room and board provided

Training provided

Job summary

American Cruise Lines is seeking talented Sous Chefs for the 2026 season to join our culinary team aboard our modern riverboats and paddlewheelers. You will collaborate with the Executive Chef to create diverse menus, supervise the kitchen staff, and ensure top-quality, timely meals across breakfast, lunch, and dinner service on board.

Ideal candidates have at least 3 years of culinary experience on cruise ships or in resort/hotel dining, possess strong leadership and communication skills, and

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of culinary experience in full-service resort, hotel, or cruise ship.
• ServSafe Manager Certification strongly preferred.
• Familiar with food safety standards.
• Must possess problem solving skills, self-motivation, and organization.
• An effective leader who can effectively control time management.
• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test.
• Complete criminal background check.
• Training and Teaching experience.
• TWIC.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with the Executive Chef to produce diversified menus for our guests using fresh ingredients.
• Work directly overseeing the culinary team to produce delicious and presentable café, buffet, and hors d’oeuvres food, maintaining high guest scores in these areas.
• Ensure the same level of world class culinary skill and presentation served in the main restaurant is consistent with all food served throughout the ship.
• Organize the work in the kitchen so that kitchen processes run efficiently.
• Produce high quality dishes that follow the established menu choices.
• Adhere to all guest dietary requests.
• Maintain order and discipline in the kitchen during work hours.
• Make sure that the hygiene and food safety standards are placed as a top priority throughout all stages of food preparation.
• Ensure that all meals are prepared as quickly and deliciously as possible.
• Enforce food and safety standards.

Skills

problem solving

self-motivation

organization

leadership

communication

interpersonal skills

TWIC

ServSafe certification

drug test

background check

Education

ServSafe Manager Certification

TWIC

Job description

American Cruise Lines is seeking talented Sous Chefs for the 2026 season to join our culinary team aboard our modern riverboats and paddlewheelers. You will collaborate with the Executive Chef to create diverse menus, supervise the kitchen staff, and ensure top-quality, timely meals across breakfast, lunch, and dinner service on board.

Ideal candidates have at least 3 years of culinary experience on cruise ships or in resort/hotel dining, possess strong leadership and communication skills, and